A chance detection of an LTTE suicide cadre at
Ondachchi, Kalawanchikudi yesterday morning by TMVP cadres
prompted him to trigger a blast.

The blast killed two TMVP cadres loyal to
Pilleyan. The TMVP, which recently secured political
recognition, is the political wing of the Karuna faction. The
military said that it was not clear who the assassinís original
target had been. Karunaís men had challenged him on seeing his
suspicious behaviour, the military said.

A senior police officer said the assassin had
been probably roaming the area with a view to taking what he
called an opportunity target.

He would have targeted a military vehicle or a
roadside check point, he said, asserting that they expected
stepped up LTTE activity ahead of the scheduled local government
election in the Batticaloa District.

The Pilleyan group has come under heavy
criticism from human rights activists for carrying arms which,
the outfit insists, are essential to counter LTTE attacks.